Vernal Pools is the first book-length synthesis of the natural history, ecology, and conservation of the seasonally wet pools that occur throughout the formerly glaciated region of eastern North America -- essentially the Great Lakes Basin, New England, and adjacent areas of Canada and the United States. Introductory chaptersdefine vernal pools; provide overviews of their formation and physical-chemical-hydrological characteristics; andpresent data critical for assessing, regulating, and managing pool ecosystems. The chapters that immediately follow the introduction explore the biology of microscopic life forms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi and the great variety of higher plants associated with vernal pools. The next chapters delve into thedescriptions, distributions, habitat requirements and life-history strategies of pool animals, and the ecological processes and patterns associated with the composition and dynamics of pool communities over time. A final chapter discusses research needs and conservation considerations that are a part of the ongoing effort to recognize, understand, protect, and manage vernal pools as viable elements in the landscape of eastern North America. An extensive appendix identifies all animals that have been reported from vernal pools of the region and describes their habitat requirements, geographic distribution, and life history characteristics. Technical terms related to vernal pools are defined in a glossary. An extensive bibliography contains a vast listing of published literature, websites, and unpublished reports.

Vernal Pools is a well organized, substantive, readily accessible resource that will be greatly valued by hydrologists, biologists, naturalists, environmental educators, interpreters, resource managers, citizen scientists, and policy makers. The book presents detailed information about the ecology of vernal pools systems, and discusses important research, conservation, and policy needs for pools to be better understood, protected, and managed. The lengthy bibliography will be an indispensable asset to any reader, beginner or advanced, interested in locating sources of information about vernal pools.